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GCC's first commercial vertical farm inks distribution deal

Badia Farms signs agreement to extend its reach to restaurants and food industry trade across the UAE

By Sam Bridge

Fri 08 Jun 2018 10:00 AM

The GCC’s first commercial vertical indoor farm, Badia Farms, is now the first local brand to have its products distributed by Classic Fine Foods.

The partnership will extend the farm’s reach to restaurants and food industry trade across the UAE, a statement said.

Badia Farms, which was officially inaugurated in March by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, grows an extensive range of post-organic micro-greens and baby leaf herb varieties in a controlled indoor environment, using hydroponic technology.

As the farm’s distributor, Classic Fine Foods will be the logistical partner, delivering its products to chefs across the UAE, the statement added.

Omar Al Jundi, founder and CEO at Badia Farms said: “Classic Fine Foods is a company that shares our values for quality food, grown using the most sustainable and eco-friendly practices. We have received incredible feedback from chefs so far, who are extremely passionate about our products and our methods – that can’t be matched with imported produce.

“We have started a new wave of farming technology in the region, with a vision to shape the future of how we grow our food. We are delighted that through this partnership we are able to deliver our leafy greens to more chefs’ tables across the UAE.”

The farm began production in December with ambitious plans to pioneer the region’s "green revolution" with innovative agri-tech methods.

The farm produces pesticide-free leafy greens without the need for sunlight, soil or chemicals.

The eco-system created by Badia Farms uses 90 percent less water than open field farming and recycles the water it uses. The farm also combats the carbon footprint of food imports that typically travel an average of 3,000 miles to reach restaurants in Dubai.